Precalculus

THE CONICS

“The Great Geometer” as his admiring friends called

him because of his great accomplishments in Geometry, was
born in Perga, a town in ancient Greek that is now part of
Turkey. He was known for his “Conics” which explains the
conic sections. From his examinations of a solid cone, which he
had cut into sections, he noted several unusual forms, which he
termed as the ellipse, the hyperbola, and the parabola. He was
the first to recognize that these forms, along with the circle, are
all part of a cone. His “Conics” which brought light to a
puzzled and imprecise area of Geometry, is much admired and
considered to be the greatest scientific works of the ancient
world.
rd nd
Sometime between the 3 and the 2 century B. C., a Greek mathematician. Appolonius of
Perga who was called the Great Geometer, made a study of the family of curves known as conic
sections. He discovered many of the fundamental properties of these curves that are widely used
today and was recognized as the one who gave them their names: parabola, ellipse and hyperbola.
He wrote the treatise on Conic Sections consisting of 8 books, which laid the foundation on the
subject. His works were so extensive that they outdated previous works on the subject matter by
Aristarchus and Euclid. Today his theory of the conic sections and their applications are widely used
in so many fields like navigation, optics, astronomy, and engineering among others.

Conic sections or simply conics are curved formed when a plane cuts with the surface of a
right circular cone. The surface of the cone extends indefinitely far in both directions from a point V,
called the vertex of the conic. The conic surface on either side of the vertex is called nappe of the right
circular cone.

The type of conic section formed depends upon the direction of the cutting plane. If the cutting
plane cuts the cone completely across one nappe, the curved formed is called an ellipse. If the plane
cuts the cone such that it is perpendicular to the axis of the cone but not the vertex, the curve
obtained is a circle, which is considered to be a special case of ellipse. If the plane cuts the cone such
that it is parallel to the line on the conic surface, called a generator, the result is an open curve called
the parabola. If the plane that cuts the cone parallel to the axis but does not contain the vertex, the
curved formed is a hyperbola. Consequently, the planer cuts the cone in both nappes, such that the
hyperbola consists of two branches, which extend indefinitely in both directions.

The four types of curves above are not only possible results when a plane cuts through a right
circular cone. If the plane cuts the cone such that it goes through the vertex, the result is called a
degenerate conic, which is of three types:
1. If the plane cuts the cone perpendicular to its axis, the result is a single point. This is called a
degenerate ellipse.
2. If the plane cuts through the side of the cone, the result is a straight line. This is called a
degenerate parabola.
3. If the plane cuts both nappes of the cone through the vertex, the result is two intersecting lines.
This is called a degenerate hyperbola.

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus

Another definition of a conic is that, it is a path of a moving point such that the ratio of its
distance from a given fixed point to its distance from a given fixed line is a constant. The fixed point
is called the focus of the conic and the fixed line is known as the directrix. The constant ratio is called
the eccentricity (e).

FP
e=
MP
The value of the eccentricity, e, determines the types of the conic section.
when e > 1, the conic is a hyperbola
e = 1, the conic is parabola
e < 1, the conic is ellipse
e = 0, the definition of the conic fails and,
e → 0, the ellipse approaches a circle.
Thus, we can say that a circle is a special case of an ellipse.
THE CIRCLE

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus
The circle is considered as the most perfect of all geometric figures. Although regarded as
special type of a conic, the circle nevertheless has its own unique properties. This section deals with
the circle and begins with geometric definition of it.

Definition of a Circle
A circle is the set of all point in a plane equidistant from a fixed point. The fixed point is
called the center of the center, and the constant equal the distance is called the radius of the circle.

radius ●

center

Figure 1

Let the center of a circle be at fixed point C (h, k) and let the radius be equal to r. Then if P(x, y)
is any point of the circle, the distance from C to P is equal to r. (Fig. 2). This condition requires that

√( x−h )2+( y−k )2=r

and by squaring both sides of the equation,

2 2 2
( x−h ) +( y −k ) =r
This formula exhibits the coordinates of the center and the length of the radius and
consequently, is sometimes called as the center – radius form of the circle.
If the center of circle is at the origin, then h = 0 and k = 0; therefore its equation is
2 2 2
x + y =r .
If the radius of the circle is 1, it is called unit circle.

P(x, y)
r

●
C(h, k)
O

Figure 2

2 2 2
The equation ( x−h ) +( y −k ) =r is called the center radius form of an equation of the circle.
If we remove the parenthesis and combine like terms, we obtain

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus
x 2 + y 2 −2 hx+( h2 + k 2 −r 2 )=0 .

By letting D = -2h, E = -2k and F = h2 + k2 – r2, this equation becomes

2 2
x + y +Dx+ Ey+F=0

which is the general form of the equation of a circle. Because every circle has center and radius, its
equation can be put in the center – radius form, and hence into the general form. If we start with an
equation of a circle in general form, we can write it in the center – radius form by completing the
square.
Example 1. Find an equation of the circle with center at the origin and radius of 3 units. Sketch the
circle.

Solution:
r=3
x2 + y2 = 32
x2 + y 2 = 9

Example 2. Determine the equation of the circle which passes through the point (-4, 2) and with the
center at the origin. Sketch the graph.

Solution:
C (0, 0) and at point (-4, 2)
Solving for the radius using the distance formula.
r= √ (x 2 −x 1 )2 +( y 2 − y 1 )2
r= √(−4−0 )2 +(2−0)2
r= √16+4
r= √20 units
Substituting the value of r in x2 + y2 = r2
2
x 2 + y 2 =( √ 20 )
x 2 + y 2 =20

2 2
Example 3. Change the equation 2 x +2 y −4 x+5 y −6=0 into its general form. Sketch.

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus
Solution:
We first divide the given equation by 2 to reduce it into its general form. Thus
5
x 2 + y 2 −2 x + y−3=0
2 .
By completing the squares, we have
5
x 2−2 x + y 2 + y=3
2
5 25 25
( x 2−2 x+1)+( y 2 + y+ )=3+1+
2 16 16
5 89
( x−1)2 +( y + )2 =
4 16
C(1, );r= √
5 89
4 4

Example 4. What is the standard equation of a circle with the points (-1, 3) and (5, -3) as the ends of its
diameter?

Solution:

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus

Solving for the center of the circle using the midpoint formula, with P 1 (-1, 3), P2 (5, -3)
x +x y 2+ y 1
x m= 2 1 y m=
2 2
C (xm, ym) = (2, 0)

Using the coordinates of the center and one of the given points to solve for the radius of the circle,

r= √(x m −x1 )2 +( y m− y 1 )2
r= √(2−(−1))2 +( 0−3)2
r= √18
r=3 √2 units

Substituting the values in the equation of the circle with h = 2, k = 0 and r = 3 √ 2 .

( x−h )2 +( y −k )2=r 2
( x−2)2 +( y−0)2 =(3 √ 2)2
( x−2)2 + y 2=18 .

Example 5. Transform
general form.
2 2
( x+7 ) +( y +4 ) =25
into its
(x + 7)2 + (y + 4)2 = 25
x2 + 14x + 49 + y2 + 8y + 16 = 25
x2 + y2 + 14x + 8y + 65 -25 = 0
x2 + y2 + 14x + 8y + 40 = 0

Note:
2 2 2
If in ( x−h ) +( y −k ) =r ,
a. r2 = 0, the graph is a point circle.
b. r2 > 0, the graph is a circle.
c. r2 < 0, the equation has no graph.

EXERCISES No.1
RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404
Precalculus

Name : _______________________ Date: ______________

Grade/Yr/Sec: ________________ Score: _____________
Parent’s Siganture: ____________
THE CIRCLE

I. A. Directions: Write the equation of the circle which satisfies the given conditions.

1. Center (2, -6), radius 5

2. Center (0, 4)), radius 4

3. Center (-12, 5), radius 13

4. Center (1/2, -3), radius √ 11

5. Center (5/3, 1/3), radius √3

6. Center (0, 0), passing through (5, -4)

7. Center (1, 1), passing through (-5, 2)

8. Center (6, 9), passing through (-1, 2)

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus

9. With the points (4, 4) and (0, 2) as the ends of its diameter

10. With the points (7, 8) and (-1, 5) as the ends of the diameter.

B. Reduce the following equations into the center radius form and construct the circle.

11. x2 + y2 – 4x – 12y + 36 = 0

12. x2 + y2 – 10x – 4y - 7 = 0

13. x2 + y2 + 10x + 24y = 0

14. x2 + y2 + 3x + 4y = 0

15. 3x2 + 3y2 + 6x – 5y = 0

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus

16. x2 + y2 – 6x + 4y - 12 = 0

17. x2 + y2 + 8x + 2y + 1 = 0

18. x2 + y2 – 4x + 12y - 8 = 0

19. x2 + y2 – 8x – 6y = 0

20. 2x2 + 2y2 – 12x + 2y + 1 = 0

C. Determine whether the following equations represent a point, a circle or have no graph.

21. 1 – x2 – y2 = 0.

22. x2 + y2 + 2x + 1 = 0

23. x2 + y2 + x – y = 0

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus

24. x2 + y2 - 3x + 3y + 10 = 0

25. x2 + y2 + 1 = 0

26. x2 + y2 - 6y = -9

27. x2 + y2 - 8x + 15 = 0

28. x2 + y2 - 7x - 5y + 15 = 0

PARABOLA

Dish antennas used by television and radio stations; radars aboard the modern ships and
airplanes; telescopes to gaze at the stars and the heavens: these are just a few of many uses of the
concept, the parabola.

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus
Definition of a Parabola
A parabola is the set of all points in a plane that are equidistant from a fixed line, the directrix,
and a fixed point, the focus, that is not on the line.

Figure 1
From the definition of parabola, FS = RS and FP =PQ. In the figure, the line passing through the focus
and perpendicular to the directrix is the axis of symmetry. The point of intersection of the parabola
with its axis of symmetry is called the vertex. The vertex is midway between the focus and the
directrix.

STANDARD FORMS OF THE EQUATION OF A PARABOLA

The rectangular coordinate system enables us to translate a parabola’s geometric definition
into an algebraic equation.

Figure 2

Figure 2 is our starting point of obtaining an equation. We place the focus on the x – axis at the
point (p, 0). The directrix has an equation given by x = -p. The vertex, located midway between the
focus and the directrix is at the origin.
What does the definition of a parabola tell us about the point (x, y) in the Figure 2? For any
point (x, y) on the parabola, the distance d1 (distance from point M to point P) to the directrix is
equal to the distance d2 (distance from point P to point F) to the focus. Thus, the point (x, y) is on
the parabola if and only if

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus
d 1 =d 2
√( x+ p )2+( y− p )2= √( x− p )2+( y−0 )2
( x+ p )2 =( x− p )2 + y 2
2 2 2 2 2
x +2 px + p =x −2 px+ p + y
2
2 px=−2 px+ y
y 2 =4 px
The last equation is called the standard form of the equation of a parabola with its vertex at the
origin. There are two such equations, one for a focus on the x – axis and one for a focus on the y –
axis.

Standard Forms of the Equations of a Parabola

The standard form of the equation of a parabola with vertex at the origin is
y2 = 4px or x2 = 4py.

Figure 3 illustrates that for the equation on the left, the focus is on the x – axis, which is the axis of
symmetry.

A B
Figure 3
A. Parabola with the x – axis as the axis of symmetry. The equation of a parabola with vertex (0,
0) and focus on the x-axis is y2 = 4px. The coordinates of the focus are (p, 0). The equation of the
directrix is x = -p. If p > 0, the parabola opens right. If p < 0, the parabola opens left.

B. Parabola with the y – axis as the axis of symmetry. The equation of a parabola with vertex (0,
0) and focus on the y-axis is x2 = 4py. The coordinates of the focus are (0, p). The equation of the
directrix is y = -p. If p > 0, the parabola opens up. If p < 0, the parabola opens down.

Example 1. Find the focus and directrix of the parabola given by y2 = 12x. Then graph the parabola.

Solution:
The given equation is standard from y2 = 4px; so 4p =12.
4p = 12
p=3
Because p is positive, the parabola, with its x – axis symmetry, opens to the right. The focus is 3 units
to the right of the vertex, (0, 0).

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus
Focus: (p, 0) = (3, 0)
Directrix: x = -p; x = -3
To graph the parabola, we will use two points on the graph that lie directly above and below
the focus. Because the focus is at (3, 0), substitute 3 for x in the parabola’s equation y2 = 12x.
y2 = 12(3)
y2 = 36
y=± √36
y=±6
The points on the parabola above and below the focus are (3, 6) and (3, -6).

In general, the points on a parabola y2 = 4px that lie above and below the focus, (p, 0), are each
at a distance |2 p| from the focus. This is because if x = p, then y 2 = 4px = 4p2, so y = ±2 p . The line
segment joining these two points is called the latus rectum; its length is |4 p| .

Example 2. Find the focus and the directrix of the parabola given by x 2 = -8y. Then graph the
parabola.

Solution:
The given equation is in the standard from x2 = 4py, so 4p = -8
4p = -8
p = -2
Because p is negative, the parabola, with its y – axis symmetry, opens downward. The focus is 2 units
below the vertex (0, 0).
Focus: (0, p) = (0, -2)
Directrix: y = -p; y = 2
To graph the parabola, we will use the vertex, (0, 0), and the two endpoints of the latus rectum.
The length of the latus rectum is
|4 p|=|4(−2)|=|−8|=8
Because the graph has y –axis, the latus rectum extends 4 units to the left and 4 units to the right of
the focus, (0, 2). The endpoints of the latus rectum are (-4, -2) and (4, -2).

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus

PARABOLA WITH VERTEX AT (h, k)

The graph of a parabola can have its vertex at (h, k) rather than the origin. Horizontal and
vertical translations are accomplished by replacing x with x – h and y with y – k in the standard form
of the parabola’s equation.
The table below gives the standard forms of the equation of the parabolas with vertex at (h, k).

Standard Forms of the Equations of Parabolas with Vertex at (h, k)

Axis of Endpoints of
Equation Vertex Focus Directrix Description
Symmetry Latus Rectum
If p > 0, opens
to the right.
2
(y – k) = 4p(x – h) (h, k) horizontal (h+p, k) x = h - p If p < 0, opens (h+p, k±2p)
to the left
If p > 0, opens
upward.
2
(x – h) = 4p(y – k) (h, k) vertical (h,k+ p) y = k - p If p < 0, opens (h±2p, k+p)
downward

Example 3. Find the vertex, focus and directrix of the parabola given by
(x – 3)2 = 8(y + 1).
Then graph the parabola.

Solution:
In order to find focus and directrix, we need to know the vertex. In the standard forms of the
equations with vertex at (h, k), h is the number subtracted from x and k is the number subtracted
from y.
(x – 3)2 = 8 (y – (-1))
We see that h = 3 and k = -1. Thus, the vertex of the parabola is (h, k) = (3, -1).
Now that we have the vertex, we can find both the focus and directrix by finding p. Because 4p
= 8, p = 2. Based on the standard form of the equation, the axis of symmetry is vertical. With a positive
value for p and a vertical axis of symmetry, the parabola opens upward. Because p = 2, the foci is
located 2 units above the vertex, (3. -1). Likewise, the directrix is located 2 units below the vertex.
Focus: (h, k + p) = (3, -1 + 2) = (3, 1)
Directrix: y = k – p = -1 – 2 = -3
RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404
Precalculus

Thus, the focus is (3, 1) and the directrix is y = -3.

To graph the parabola, we will use the vertex, (3, -1) and the two endpoints of the latus
rectum. The length of the latus rectum is
|4 p|=|4(2)|=|8|=8
Because the graph has vertical symmetry, the latus rectum extends 4 units to the left and 4 units to
the right of the focus, (3, 1). The endpoints of the latus rectum are (-1, 1) and (7, 1).

Example 4. Find the vertex, focus and directrix of the parabola given by
y2 + 2y + 12x – 23 = 0.
Then graph the parabola.

Solution:
We convert the given equation to standard from by completing the square on the variable y.
We isolate the terms involving y on the left side.
y2 + 2y + 12x – 23 = 0
y2 + 2y = -12x + 23
y2 + 2y + 1 = -12x + 23 + 1
(y + 1)2 = -12x + 24
To express this equation in the standard form (y –k) 2 = 4p(x – h), we factor -12 on the right. The
standard of the parabola’s equation is
(y + 1)2 = -12(x -2)
We use this form to identify the vertex, (h, k), and the value of p needed to locate the focus and the
directrix.
(y – (-1))2 = -12(x – 2)
We see that h = 2 and k = -1. Thus the vertex of the parabola is (h, k) = (2 , -1). Because 4p = -12, p = -3.
Based on the standard form of the equation, the axis of symmetry is horizontal. With a negative value
p and a horizontal axis of symmetry, the parabola opens to the left. Because p = -3, the focus is located
3 units to the left of the vertex, (2, -1). Likewise, the directrix is located 3 units to the right of the
vertex.
Focus: (h + p, k) = (2 + (-3), -1) = (-1, -1)
Directrix: x = h – p = 2 – (-3) = 5
Thus, the focus is (-1, -1) and the directrix is x = 5.
To graph the parabola, we will use the vertex (2, -1), and the two endpoints of the latus
rectum. The length of the latus rectum is
|4 p|=|4(−3)|=|−12|=12 .
RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404
Precalculus
Because the graph has horizontal symmetry, the latus rectum extends 6 units above and 6 units below
the focus, (-1, -1). The endpoints of the latus rectum are (-1, 5) and (-1, -7).

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus
EXERCISES No.2

Name : _______________________ Date: ______________

Grade/Yr/Sec: ________________ Score: _____________
Parent’s Siganture: ____________

PARABOLA

I. A. Directions: For the following equations of parabola, find the coordinates of the focus, the
length of the latus rectum and the coordinates of its endpoints, and the equation of the directrix.
Attach a graphing paper for the graph.

1. y2 = 8x 2. x2 = -12y

3. 2y2 = 9x 4. x2 =8y

5. x2 + 10y = 0 6. 2y2 = -5x

7. y2 = -12x 8. 5x + 4y2 = 0

9. x2 – 9y = 0 10 . 8y2 + 4x = 0
Precalculus

B. Find the vertex, focus and directrix of each parabola with the given equation. Use graphing
paper to sketch the graph.
11. (x – 2)2 = 8(y – 1)

12. (x + 1)2 = -8(y + 1)

13. (y + 3)2 = 12(x + 1)

14. (y + 1)2 = -8x

15. (y + 4)2 = 12(x + 2)

C. Convert each equation to standard form by completing the square on x or y. Then find the
vertex, focus, and the directrix of the parabola.

16. x2 – 2x – 4y + 9 = 0

17. y2 – 2y + 12x – 35 = 0

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404

Precalculus

18. x2 + 6x – 4y + 1 = 0

19. x2 + 6x + 8y + 1 = 0

20. y2 – 2y – 8x + 1 = 0

RITCHIE P. DALANGIN PORFIRIO G. COMIA MNHS 09285071410/09062884404